# Error: Rewrite destination '/X' not found. The destination path must be a valid route.

- **ID:** `nextjs/rewrite-destination-not-found`
- **Domain:** nextjs
- **Category:** config_error
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 85%

## Root Cause

A rewrite rule in next.config.js points to a destination route that does not exist in the application or is not a valid internal path (e.g., missing file, typo in path).

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| Next.js 13.4 | active | — | — |
| Next.js 14.0 | active | — | — |
| Next.js 14.2 | active | — | — |
| Next.js 15.0 | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Create the missing route file at the destination path. For example, if destination is '/blog/[slug]', create 'app/blog/[slug]/page.tsx'.** (90% success)
   ```
   Create the missing route file at the destination path. For example, if destination is '/blog/[slug]', create 'app/blog/[slug]/page.tsx'.
   ```
2. **Correct the destination path to match an existing route. Check the file structure in the 'app' or 'pages' directory and update next.config.js accordingly.** (85% success)
   ```
   Correct the destination path to match an existing route. Check the file structure in the 'app' or 'pages' directory and update next.config.js accordingly.
   ```
3. **Use a redirect instead of a rewrite if the destination is an external URL or a non-existent internal path that should point elsewhere.** (75% success)
   ```
   Use a redirect instead of a rewrite if the destination is an external URL or a non-existent internal path that should point elsewhere.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **** — Trailing slashes do not create a route; the destination must exist as a file or directory. The error persists because the underlying route is still missing. (80% fail)
- **** — The error is specifically about the destination, not the source. Modifying the source may change behavior but does not resolve the missing destination. (70% fail)
- **** — Rewrites are for internal routes; external URLs require redirects. The error explicitly states the destination must be a valid internal route. (95% fail)